West Branch staff begin planning Main Street economic overlay to guide businesses and building materials

City Administrator Adam Kofoed told the West Branch City Council on Sept. 3 that several advisory bodies have tentatively agreed to develop an economic development overlay district focused on Main Street.

Kofoed said the Historic Preservation Commission, Main Street West Branch (MSWB) and Planning & Zoning support the idea and that the overlay's purpose is to preserve compatibility with the existing character of Main Street by defining allowed building structures, materials and business types. "I receive calls on a regular basis from developers and prospective businesses showing interest in West Branch," Kofoed said. "Currently the city has no 'protections' in place for Main Street with the current zoning regulations outside the downtown historic district." He said projects already under an agreement, including the Heritage Hill planned-unit development, would be grandfathered and would not be affected by the overlay.

Kofoed described the next steps as additional commission meetings to determine what will be allowed in the overlay and said the process will require more detailed work to agree on allowed structures, materials and business types. He said more information will be shared in October.

Why it matters: an economic overlay district can shape the appearance and mix of businesses along a town's primary commercial corridor, affecting property owners, prospective businesses, and residents who seek consistency in design and uses. The council did not take final action; commissions and MSWB will continue developing the proposal.

Next steps: Planning & Zoning, MSWB and the Historic Preservation Commission will further discuss specifics and return recommendations to staff and council for potential ordinance drafting and public hearings in the coming months.